One Of Pope Benedict's Last Appointments Is Already Causing Controversy

Before his surprise resignation this week, Pope Benedict XVI may
have lead the Church into one more scandal.

Benedict is reported to have personally signed off on the Vatican
Bank's new president, German financier Ernst von Freyberg — new
blood meant to head off recent financial scandals.

A Church spokesperson was caught off-guard during the
announcement of the new appointment today, however, when a
reporter pointed out that von Freyberg chairs Blohm + Voss, a
German firm that
has supplied ships for the German military, reports the AP.
The Vatican Bank traditionally avoids any link military
manufacturing, so von Freyberg's links to Blohm + Voss appeared
to be a conflict of interest.

The Church has attempted to sidestep the controversy, telling
reporters that von Freyberg chairs a civilian branch of
Blohm + Voss — but it's hard to understand how the
Church could have been unprepared for the harsh questioning of
the hire.